China's Communist Party leadership and State Council released new directives containing 19 measures on October 9 to accelerate breakthroughs in fundamental technologies and expand industrial applications of artificial intelligence. These directives aim to strengthen the country's scientific and technological self-sufficiency.

Structured around Beijing's strategic vision of "new quality productive forces," these measures are divided into five core areas: scientific and technological innovation, research-industry integration, new development approaches, institutional reforms, and talent development. The directives assign national laboratories a leading role in coordinating state-backed major science and technology projects. A notable aspect is the requirement for qualified private sector companies to assume leadership roles in large-scale national technology projects, a responsibility traditionally held by state-owned enterprises and institutes.

A second major component of the directives focuses on artificial intelligence objectives. The plan includes full implementation of the "AI Plus" initiative, which aims to integrate artificial intelligence into traditional industries, and acceleration of innovation processes in digital technologies. Simultaneously, establishing new-generation monitoring systems, early risk warning mechanisms, and emergency response frameworks is envisioned to ensure artificial intelligence remains secure, reliable, and controllable. Additional measures include construction of national data infrastructure, development of digital industrial clusters, adoption of environmentally friendly production concepts, and the country's energy transition.

The strategic document advises officials to maintain a careful balance between self-sufficiency and openness policies, and to coordinate development processes with national security considerations. Additionally, calls are made to implement necessary measures to prevent excessive competition among companies in the Chinese market. Beyond these domestic arrangements, foreign venture capital firms and international standard-setting organizations are encouraged to expand their activities in China.

China's 15th Five-Year Plan, covering 2026-2030, positions the development of "new quality productive forces" as a fundamental strategic objective. The plan's draft includes 28 major projects focused on industrial competitiveness, emerging new-generation industries, advanced technologies, and innovation capacity. These projects constitute approximately one-quarter of the plan's total 109 major strategic initiatives, demonstrating the central position of technology and innovation in China's long-term development strategy.